title: The effectiveness of a patient-applied tooth desensitizing gel. A pilot study.
abstract: Potassium nitrate has been found to be an effective ingredient for reducing dentinal hypersensitivity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a patient-applied 10% potassium nitrate glycerine-based gel in decreasing dentinal sensitivity on cold on teeth with exposed dentin apical to the cemento-enamel junction, 12 patients, each having 3 hypersensitive teeth, were tested. The patients were divided into 3 treatment groups: group 1 was treated with a glycerine-based 10% potassium nitrate gel: group 2 was treated with a glycerine gel without potassium nitrate; and group 3 received no gel and no treatment (control). Following brushing and flossing, groups 1 and 2 applied the gel to the test teeth using custom-made soft acrylic trays, for a period of 5 min/day for 4 weeks. Patient responses to cold water stimuli of 20 degrees C, 10 degrees C and 0 degrees C, were measured at baseline (week 0), then at 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-week intervals. Group 1 patients showed a significant decrease in sensitivity to cold at week 2 only. The group 2 patients showed a significant decrease in sensitivity to cold after 3 and 4 weeks. A statistically significant decrease in sensitivity was noted between group 2 and group 3 patients at week 3. The most sustained decrease in sensitivity to cold was found on teeth treated with plain glycerine.
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, University of Missouri, Kansas City.
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Reinhart
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Killoy
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Love
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Overman
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Sakumura
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D003080:Cold Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects; D003807:Dentin Sensitivity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005782:Gels; D005990:Glycerol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009566:Nitrates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D011897:Random Allocation; D012646:Self Administration; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D009566:Nitrates; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D005990:Glycerol; C023844:potassium nitrate